The Sindh Assembly on Monday approved the Thar Coal Energy Board (Amendment) Bill, while also unanimously adopting a resolution congratulating the Christian community on the occasion of Christmas.
Members from both treasury and opposition benches extended warm greetings to Christians. The congratulatory resolution was moved by Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) MPA Roma Mushtaq Matto. Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Minority Affairs Sham Sunder Advani said Christmas symbolises love, peace and religious tolerance.
MQM-P MPA Sabir Qaimkhani said Islam is a religion of love and noted that his party was the first to appoint Christians to ministerial-level positions. PTI MPA Shabbir Qureshi and Jamaat-e-Islami MPA Muhammad Farooq also conveyed Christmas greetings, emphasising the message of peace and harmony.
Health Minister Dr Azra Pechuho recalled her association with a Christian school and acknowledged the role of Christian midwives at her birth, extending heartfelt congratulations to the community. Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar said the PPP government has always safeguarded minority rights, recalling that religious harmony was enshrined in the Constitution under former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.
PA Deputy Speaker Anthony Naveed said Sindh, the land of Sufis, stands as a model of religious freedom, where people of all faiths enjoy equal rights. The resolution was unanimously passed by the House.
Earlier, the assembly approved the Thar Coal Energy Board (Amendment) Bill, presented by Lanjar. He said the original law was enacted in 2011 and amendments were now being introduced to update certain clauses.
During the local government question hour, Parliamentary Secretary Siraj Qasim Soomro responded to members’ queries. Addressing concerns over the absence of public toilets, he assured the House that facilities would be established in all public parks, with dedicated staff for maintenance. He said the Clean Sindh Project, supported by the World Bank, is being implemented across the province.
On water shortages, Soomro said Karachi does not receive water according to its actual needs. FIRs have been registered in cases of water theft, and stricter action is under way. He disclosed that the Sindh High Court has set up a tribunal to hear water theft cases and that amendments are being introduced to impose harsher penalties.
He further informed the House that the K-IV water supply project is expected to be completed within a year, helping to ease Karachi’s water crisis. Proposals are also under consideration to build storage tanks along the Malir River to conserve rainwater.
Responding to concerns about the shortage of fire brigade staff, raised by Opposition Leader Ali Khurshidi, Soomro said Rescue 1122 has been established and staff strength increased. He added that further improvements are planned, supported by the city mayor, and highlighted the presence of a firemen’s training institute in Gadap.
